Cadel Evans ended his last race before the Giro d'Italia confident he is close to the form he needs to impress in the three-week race.

But while Evans finished the Giro del Trentino on Friday feeling stronger than when he began four days earlier, the Australian empathised with one of his main Giro rivals, Briton Bradley Wiggins, for the anger he showed over mechanical problems that possibly cost him overall victory.

With nine kilometres left on the finishing climb of Friday's fourth stage from Arco to Sega di Ala in the Dolomites, which was won by Italian Vincenzo Nibali to also take overall first place, Wiggins appeared to have gear problems as Nibali accelerated.

The Sky rider and Tour de France champion dismounted and cast his bike aside and by the time he got on his spare bike the leaders were way ahead.

Advertisement

Wiggins tried to rejoin the leading group which included Evans, but after another mechanical problem he finished ninth and fifth overall.

Evans, who was fifth on the stage and eighth overall, defended Wiggins' response having experienced similar woes in an illustrious career.

Fair or not, mechanicals are a part of the sport. But Evans is concerned that competition among some industry manufacturers for their products to be used and showcased by winning performances could lead to a rider's performance being impeded.

''There have been quite a few changes with some of the equipment this year. Some of the things the cycling industry is doing right now, I am a little bit disappointed with,'' Evans said.

''I can completely understand [Wiggins'] frustration. We are athletes and I am sure this is the same for any sport and profession, but we put in a lot of work to be there, and be at our best when we are there. Being let down by something that is not ready to be used in the race is pretty disappointing.''

Evans, meanwhile, said he achieved what he wanted by racing in Trentino and has been reassured by his strong ride on the explosive final stage.

''It was good to get the racing in the mountains, to get a point of reference to work on,'' Evans said.

''I was getting better and better every day, which is a promising sign. It means that for a [three-week] stage race you are heading in the right direction.''

Evans said he perhaps should have tried harder to follow Nibali's attack on the final climb but he had opted to continue at his own pace.

''Maybe I should have raised my own expectations a little higher, but when they make accelerations like that it, I'm not at that level yet,'' he said. ''I am riding in accordance with my own progression rather than try to stick with the others … until the Giro at least.''